THE STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN HINDUISM AND JUDAISM
THE WEDDING CEREMONY
The Jewish bride stands under the wedding canopy and circles her groom counterclockwise seven times. This tradition embodies building a new life together. She is erecting a wall around them, so they may blend their souls together. This symbolizes a lifetime commitment to marriage. The number seven stands for the seven days of creation, as the bride and groom embark on their new journey, they build an unbreakable covenant.
The Hindi bride takes the hand of her groom and circles counterclockwise around the Agni, a sacred fire. The Agni becomes the divine witness to the marriage. The ceremony is named the Saptapadi, a sanskrit word which translates to “seven steps”. This symbolizes the seven Chakras, seven vows and seven lifetimes that consummate a complete and permanent bond in the marriage.
It is surprising to see the similarities between these two wedding ceremonies but a deeper look into the two religions reveal a deep interconnection between them that cannot be coincidence.
VEDIC HINDUISM
Hinduism is believed to be one of the oldest religions in the world. Its earliest traditions date back to the prehistoric Indus Valley civilization in late 3 B.C. This ancient religion was known as Vedic Hinduism. It was a polytheistic religion believing in many Gods. Its focus was on nature and the natural order of the universe. They worshiped their Gods through sacrificial fire rituals called Yajna. These deities were the embodiment of one heavenly universal force. Each deity was associated with a natural wonder such as wind, fire or water. Over time Vedic principles evolved into a temple-based religion, incorporating new sacred traditions such as replacing fire rituals with individual worship, gods and philosophies.
The Vedic beliefs were passed on orally for centuries until they were written down in ten books between 1500-500 B.C. in Vedic Sanskrit. These oldest sacred texts were the Rigveda. The final version of the books were written over many generations. Although they have been partially translated, it has been impossible to transcribe the meaning into contemporary language. This is due to their phraseology and terminology which have no corresponding parallels in known languages. Attempts at translation have often misrepresented the original meaning. Much of what has been determined about Vedic Hinduism was by the artifacts they left behind, such as cult figures to the goddess and the bull.
At this early stage of Hinduism, Brahmins, a heredity priestly class directed intricate fire based sacrificial rituals. They had no temples and worshiped elemental forces of nature. The evolving religion changed dramatically over time with most of their gods replaced by new ones.
THE VARNA SYSTEM
To bring social conformity, productivity and spiritual evolution into their belief structure, the Varna System was established. This divided followers into four groups: priests and teachers (Brahmins), warriors and rulers (Kshatriyas), merchants and farmers (Vaishyas), and laborers (Shudras). Some people at the lowest rung of society who did fit into any of the four castes were known as the Untouchables. Each category placement was predicated upon a person’s nature and potential.
MODERN HINDUISM
Modern Hinduism originated in the early 19th century. It was forged by active social reform crusades in response to British colonialism. It would subsequently become part of the 20th century Independence movement. Its goal was to overhaul established customs and beliefs. It developed by assimilating local indigenous traditions into the prevailing Hinduism belief system. It was strongly impacted by Western thought.
Modern Hinduism focused on temple and idol worship. It incorporated reincarnation and karma as a major tenet of their belief system. There is devotion to a personal god through prayer and chanting to attain spiritual oneness with their deity. Vishnu and Shiva became the two main Gods in modern Hinduism symbolizing two integral interdependent components of the Divine.
Vishnu maintains cosmic order while Shiva dispels the unenlightened to enable new creation. While they appear to be two different concepts, they personify the same supreme Brahman. As Shiva brings worldly rewards, Visnu leads followers to spiritual detachment. The concept of divine avatars is part of modern belief system; it expresses the material appearance of the deity. Vegetarianism is essential and the cow is sacred in modern Hinduism. There are indications that during the Vedic period cows were both venerated and consumed.
DEVELOPMENT OF INFLEXIBLE CASTE SYSTEM
The Varna system evolved dramatically over centuries. It developed into an inflexible caste system based on hereditary. This was established under British rule to allow them to facilitate governing their conquered population. Since India’s independence, steps have been taken to eliminate discrimination based on caste.
HINDUISM TODAY
The majority of adherents to modern Hinduism venerate one Supreme God, Brahman, while acknowledging other gods and goddesses. They practice omnipresent spiritual ideologies with direct divine connection, equality, ethics and social reform, blended together with ancient Vedic principles. The central tenets include Karma, Reincarnation, Dharma and Plurality. Together these ethics represent a system that provides multiple paths to the divine through honorable and moral actions with the goal of evolving beyond rebirth.
JUDAISM – THE COVENANT WITH GOD
Judaism as a religion began when God entered into a covenant with Abraham. It was based on the promise of a great nation, the land of Canaan and to bless him with many descendants. It was God’s pledge that the Jews would become his chosen people. He was born Abram, later becoming Abraham, “Father of Many”. He was seventy-five years old when he entered into the covenant in approximately 2091 BC. When Abraham was ninety-nine, he received the covenant of circumcision. Serving as a physical sign of the covenant, Jewish men were required to be circumcised on the eighth day of life.
Abraham became the first Hebrew patriarch and the first to cultivate the concept of monotheism within Judaism. The idea of one creator was a marked departure from the religious practices of the Israelites who at this time worshiped multiple gods. By being designated as God’s special people, it became the Jewish people’s obligation to abandon idolatry and defend the belief in one God.
ISRAELITES PRACTICED CANAANITE POLYTHEISTIC
Prior to the Abrahamic covenant, the Israelites practiced a Canaanite polytheistic religion. This religion was practiced in the Levant between 3000 BC and 5000 BC. Strongly influenced by Egyptian and Mesopotamian traditions, they worshiped the god, El and his consort Asherah along with a pantheon of deities including Yahwism, Baal, Dagon, Anat and Astarte. They venerated their Gods at shrines and sacred groves, performing animal sacrifice and reverence for the dead. Their beliefs included a highly developed mythology with tales of celestial conflicts between the gods and reincarnation.
JEWISH ENSLAVEMENT IN EGYPT AND THE EXODUS
Jacob, the grandson of Abraham moved to Egypt with his extended family to flee a devastating famine in Canaan sometime between 1875 BC-1661 BC. His descendants, the Israelites became slaves in Egypt for 215 years until Moses led them on the Exodus to the promised land.
At that time, the Israelites were still not a monotheists people. They worshiped Yahweh, Baal and many other gods. Baal worship with its practices of child sacrifice and ritual prostitution was an extreme transgression from the covenant God made with Abraham. Scholars point to the first two of the ten commandments as proof that the Israelites were not yet a monotheist people, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” and “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image”. When the Israelites entered the promised land of Canaan, this marked their transition to a Jewish nation. Worship of Baal, however, and other deities remained a practice for a prolonged period of time.
YAHWISM
Between the 12th-11th century BC, the Israelite religion evolved into Yahwism, a henotheist religion which venerated one supreme god while recognizing the existence of many other gods in the Canaanite pantheon. There is Archaeological confirmation that many Israelites worshipped Yahweh’s consort, Asherah along with him. This was the God who delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Over time, Yahwism became increasingly monotheistic. Although the Old Testament places monotheism to Abraham’s covenant with God, it actually happened slowly over time.
THE END OF IDOL WORSHIP
The nation did not become monotheist until 623BC, when King Josiah put an end to idol worship. He purged the kingdom of all forms of religion practice with the exception of the worship of Yahweh. He was inspired to do this after temple renovations unearthed a “Book of Law” scroll, thought to be Deuteronomy. It specified the uncompromising laws against worshiping any God but Yahweh.
DESTRUCTION OF THE FIRST TEMPLE
Jerusalem was attacked twenty-five years after becoming monotheistic, by the Babylonians. They came back eleven years later and ravaged the city, destroying the temple. About 25% of the population were taken into captivity. The rest stayed in Judah or escaped to Egypt. It was during this period that Judaism shifted from a central place of worship to study and implementation of sacred texts. Animal sacrifice was replaced with prayer. Synagogue worship and adherence to Jewish law became the practice.
THE JEWS ARE FREED FROM CAPTIVITY AND RETURN TO JERUSALEM
The exile ended in 538 BC when Cyrus the Great of Persia defeated the Babylonians and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem. This ended seventy years of detainment. Only about 465,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem. Most chose to remain in Babylon where they had established roots. When the temple was destroyed, a countless number of Jews, left in poverty in Jerusalem dispersed, often joining Jewish communities that were already been long established. This set in motion the Jewish Diaspora and the rise of synagogue worship. The Jews that returned to Jerusalem became dedicated to the study of the Torah and rebuilding the temple. It was during this Persian period that Judaism came into its own by reevaluating their beliefs, reorganizing their society, rebuilding their temple and finalizing their Torah.
DESTRUCTION OF THE 2ND TEMPLE AND THE START OF RABBINIC JUDAISM
Rabbinic Judaism evolved after the destruction of the 2nd temple in 70 BC. Its development was based upon observance of the law, prayer, Torah study and the belief that scripture and laws need to be clarified by rabbis. The synagogue became the center for community worship. Torah study transformed into a critical component of religious life. Important texts became sacred, representing the Rabbinic Judaism that still exists today.
What can Judaism and Hinduism possibly have in common?
COMMON PRACTICES OF BOTH HINDUISM AND JUDAISM
THE IMMORAL SOUL
A fundamental principle of both religions is their belief in the immortal soul. It is the soul that is the divine spark that God has infused life into. In Judaism it is called the Neshamah. In Hinduism it is called the Atman. Both religions believe we have a short-lived physical body which is apart from our soul. With each new lifetime we acquire experience and gain knowledge until we achieve enlightenment. In Hinduism, this is called Moksha, deliverance from the continuous cycle of life and death. In Judaism, it is the concept of Tikkun. Reincarnation is known as samsara in Hinduism. In Jewish culture, it is called gilgul.
In Hinduism, the 3rd eye is located in the center of the eyebrows; it embodies a state of enlightenment beyond this life. It is the connection between the soul and consciousness. It is where the soul resides in a body. Triggering the 3rd eye unleashes a higher level of conscientiousness and releases an inner wisdom of the soul. This allows one to realize their divine nature. The soul is bound in five layers in both Hinduism and Judaism. These layers signify distinct degrees of existence traversing from materialism to spiritual rapture.
In Judaism the soul is deemed the “I”. It is a person’s eternal essence, their consciousness and inner self. It is not seen as completely detached from the body but a collaborator, with the soul acting as a shepherd. The soul is eternal having five individual stages from consciousness to oneness with God.
GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE
Both religions view themselves as God’s chosen people.
FIRE SACRIFICE
Ancient fire sacrifice rituals were essential requirements in both religions during ancient times. It represents the divine. In Judaism, God’s eternal existence was represented by a perpetual fire always burning at the altar. After death, the soul is symbolized by lighting a candle. Temple sacrifices were set on fire at the altar as offerings to God.
In Hinduism, fire is the messenger which serves to join the mortal world with the divine. An important Vedic ceremony, Yagna, involved chanting while offerings to their gods are laid into a sacred fire pit as an allegorical sacrifice. Marriages and funerals were both accompanied by ritual fires.
THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
Both religions share a Festival of Light holiday called Chanukkah in Judaism and Diwali in Hinduism, which embody good over evil. The Jewish holiday of Purim and the Hindu Festival of Holi are both springtime holidays that once again celebrate good over evil.
ATONEMENT
While Jews observe Yom Kippur,” The Day of Atonement”. Hindus observe Navaratri, pursuing atonement through prayers and fasting.
THE PRIESTLY CLASS
Each religion have a prominent priestly class, the Brahmins in Hinduism and the Kohanim in Judaism, which date back to the early stages of their origins. Hindus had a community of priests and Jews had a kingdom of priests.
THE FLOOD
Noah is warned of a forthcoming flood by God and told to build a boat. Noah, his wife, their three soon and their wives are saved, totaling eight people. After they are saved, Noah provides sacrifices to God. They then repopulate the world. In Hinduism, Manu is warned of a looming flood by Vishnu and told to build a boat. Manu and seven sages, a total of eight people are saved from the flood. Manu then provides sacrifices to Vishnu and they repopulate the world.
DIETARY LAWS
The Jewish laws called Kashrut require adherents to keep kosher and prohibit specific foods and practices of procurement. Hindus adhere to codes of purity called Achara and follow a strict vegetarian diet. Neither will mix specific categories of food
ETHICAL LAWS
Following ethical laws are of great importance in each religion. Halakha in Judaism tradition and Dharmashastra in Hinduism tradition are prodigious all-embracing legal systems that regulate daily life.
SACRED LAWS
They share the belief that their sacred laws were not created when they were revealed to them but have existed for eternity.
YOU DETERMINE YOUR DESTINY
There is a deep belief in both religions that your destiny is determined by your actions on earth. The goal is to break free from the cycle of rebirth by perfecting the soul. In Hinduism this is called Moksha. In Judaism, it is called Tikkun.
ANIMAL SACRIFICE
In Judaism, ritual animal sacrifice was used as a form of atonement and to acknowledge gratitude from the early biblical times until the 2nd temple fell in 70 C.E. Hindus did this as part of their fire sacrifices dating back to the Vedic period to honor their gods. The practice was maintained throughout the centuries into modern day, with it being used today in a restricted number of ceremonies, with the belief that the fire is the mouth of the Gods, transporting offerings to the divine.
STRONG HERITAGE AND TIES TO THE LAND
They are both ethical religions with a strong heritage and ties to their sacred land with significant focus on their ancient legacy, cultural identity, intricate laws and hygiene.
THE NUMBER SEVEN
In both Judaism and Hinduism, the number seven is sacred. Originating with the seven days of creation, for the Jewish people it symbolizes the spiritual fulfillment of the universe. The sabbath is observed on the seventh day of the week, a wedding celebration is completed on the seventh day, mourning of the dead is observed for seven days, the menorah in the temple had seven arms. It is a number related to righteousness and divine completion.
In Hinduism, it represents spiritual development. There are seven higher planes of existence culminating in Brahma’s realm. There are seven sacred rivers, seven sacred Vedic sages, seven chakras energy centers and seven horses leading the chariot of the Sun God.
NO PROSELYTIZING
Neither are proselytizing religions who wish to spread their beliefs. They do not encourage conversion.
THE USE OF ASH
Traditionally, both Jews and Hindus in ancient times, used ash to purify the body and mind. In Judaism, historically it was associated with the ashes of a red heifer combined with water to purify a person who was exposed to a corpse as well as signifying mourning and contrition. While in Judaism this practice is no longer followed, in Hinduism it continues to this day. Employing sacred ash for spiritual purification symbolizes mortality and prompts one to except that our physical bodies are only transient in this life. It is traditionally made from burnt cow dung.
ONE SUPREME GOD
Jews believe in monotheism, while Hindus are considered polytheistic, having a whole pantheon of Gods. In reality, most Hindus today believe in monotheism, one supreme god with many manifestations of their god, with about a third strictly believing in only one God, Brahman. So, in essence both religions worship one supreme god.
AN ANCIENT RELATIONSHIP
There are too many similarities for the people of these two religions to have not had a relationship during ancient times. Maritime trade between Israel and India began under the rule of King Solomon around 1000 BC, establishing significant, cultural and economic interaction. The Old Testament cites receiving goods such as peacocks, ivory and exotic spices with ancient Hebrew words for these commodities having a South Indian source.
During ancient times, Jewish traders established communities in India, where they were well treated and lived under favorable conditions. They shared goods and ideas. An intense devotion to family and community facilitated the Jew’s ability to integrate into Hindi society. These communities include Bene Israel, Cochin Jews, Baghdadi Jews, Bnei Menashe and Bene Ephraim. Remnants of these settlements still exist today. While Jews faced persecution in most of the places they lived, they found sanctuary in India, for over 2,000 years. With so many mutual rituals, this strongly suggests a vibrant sharing of ideas.
WERE BRAHMA AND ABRAHAM THE SAME PERSON?
There has been some speculation that Abraham and Brahma are one in the same. Abraham’s wife Sarah was his sister. Brahma’s wife, Saravati was also his sister. Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah 90 when Isaac was born. Brahma and Sarasvati were together 100 years when their son, Daksha was born. Sarah’s handmaiden was named Hagar. The River Sarasvati is named after Brahma’s wife. The tributary of this river is called Ghaggar.
To demonstrate Abraham’s commitment to his faith, God commanded him to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering. He was stopped at the last minute by an angel who replaced his son with a ram. Brahma was required to offer his son as a burnt offering to Shiva. After Daksha was sacrificed, Brahma pleaded with Shiva to resurrect his son. His son was restored with the head of a ram. Abraham was told he would become the father of many nations. Brahma is called the father of all.
DID JUDAISM COPY HINDUISM OR DID HINDUISM COPY JUDAISM?
Aristotle believed the Jews descended from Indian philosophers known as Calani who left India for Judea. The Jewish historian, Josephus recounted this story in his book, Jewish Antiquities. Clearco di Soli was a Greek philosopher writing between the 4th-3rd century BC that wrote “In India the philosophers are called Calaniani and in Syria they are called Jews. The name of their capital is very difficult to pronounce. It’s called Jerusalem”. Abraham had many children with his second wife, Ketura, who he sent away to the East. There are some scholars who believe the Hindus are their descendants. Did Judaism incorporate Hindu laws, or did Hinduism incorporate Jewish laws?
